was far less during the past session than it has been for several preceding years, owing in great part to the larger number of students. I am, dear sir, Yours very sincerely, F. W. GOTCH. Bristol, Dec. 17, 1849. MINISTERIAL ATTENDANCE AT MIXED To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. DEAR SIR,-As a pastor called by divine providence to labour in a retired village, and prevented by my lone situation from much intercourse with beloved brethren, consequently hindered from obtaining their aid and counsel in solving some of my pastoral difficulties, allow me to entreat the favour of your opinion, as well as any of your excellent correspondents, as to my path of duty in the following case: Our chapel is registered for the celebration of marriages, my expressed views are very decisive as to its being scripturally wrong for believers to marry unbelievers, I have reason to expect before long, I shall be solicited to conduct a religious service, and to be one at the festive table, in celebration of the marriage of a young lady, a member of the church, with a gentleman of moral character, but no evidence that he is "A new creature in Christ Jesus." Shall I by conducting the religious service on the occasion, and joining the social party, be guilty of conniving at what I consider a violation of scripture truth, or having clearly taught, and plainly stated to the member concerned her duty, is the sin her's and not mine; or in one word, am I right in being one of the party, or a party to the marriage consummation? Entreating an early notice of this in your much-loved magazine. I am, yours very truly, EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT. The Baptist Annual Meetings will be held this year rather earlier in the month of April than usual. The Annual Meeting of the Bible Society, by which the days for other societies making use of Exeter Hall are regulated, is always on the first Wednesday in May. That happens this year to be the first day of the month. The Annual Meeting of the Baptist Missionary Society will in consequence be on Thursday, the 25th of April. The Thursday evening sermon, which the Rev. F. Tucker of Manchester has engaged to preach, will be on the 18th of April; the Lord's day for the simultaneous sermons for the mission will be the 21st of April; and the Wednesday morning sermon, which the Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel has engaged to preach, will be on the 24th of April. We have again afforded to our friend Mr. Lillycrop opportunity to say in our correspondence department all that his benevolence dictates respecting aged and infirm ministers, and the society for which he pleads. It is incumbent on us, however, in doing so, to take care that his proposal shall not be misunderstood. If a collection were made on the first Lord's-day in the year, in conformity with his suggestion, and the thousand pounds to which he refers were realized, it would be a delightful thing; but it is right that the public should remember that no worn-out minister would derive any advantage from it, however necessitous he might be, unless he happened to be one of the hundred and eight who are beneficiary members of the society commonly called, "The Bath Society," and then only in case it appeared that he was permanently incapacitated for pastoral or ministerial duties by reason of age or infirmity. There are but twenty-seven brethren, we believe, in these circumstances; but twenty-seven therefore to whom the proposed collection would be available, and nothing would be farther from their wishes, we are sure, than that collections should be made for aged and infirm baptist ministers generally, of which they alone should receive the benefit. The treasurer and secretary of the society referred to have carefully marked the distinction between aged and infirm ministers generally, and aged and infirm ministers who have secured to themselves the privileges of members of that institution, and our own desire in making these remarks is only to prevent mistake, and second their judicious observations. The Rev. F. Bosworth, M.A., from Canada, arrived in London a few days since. As it is not likely that his services will be required again in the college at Montreal, at least for the present, it is not improbable that he may accept an engagement at home. The most recent intelligence respecting Dr. Achilli affords no brighter prospect than previous statements of his deliverance from the pontifical grasp; but in one respect it is highly satisfactory. It is now acknowledged by those who hold him in bonds that no evidence can be adduced against him of any but religious offences. The other accusations are entirely abandoned. The story about a nun who lived at Viterbo twenty years ago turns out to be a vile fabrication for which there was not even a shadow of pretence. All that he is now charged with is the violation of his canonical duties as a Romish priest; he is therefore, in the face of all Europe, a living demonstration of the unabated intolerance of popery. The Rev. C. Stovel is about to deliver a course of lectures on the nature and beginning of spiritual life, its sacred recognition, its privilege, its aim, its cultivation, its fruits, its conflict, its resources, its fellowship, its present joys, its hope, and its duration. The lectures will be delivered in Little Prescot Street meeting-house, commencing on Lord's-day evening, January 6th, 1850; and they will be continued on the following sabbath evenings, providence permitting, until the series has been completed, commencing at half past six o'clock. Proposals have been issued by Messrs. Johnstone and Hunter which deserve the attention of ministers who are able to purchase books, and of those friends of ministers who take pleasure in making additions to their pastors' libraries. The whole works of Dr. Owen, exclusive of the exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews, are offered in fifteen octavo volumes for the sum of three guineas, to be advanced at the commencement of the three coming years, five volumes per year being received in return by each subscriber. The respectability of the publishers is a sufficient guarantee for the fulfilment of all their undertakings; and, as we appreciate the works of Dr. Owen very highly, we shall be rejoiced to learn that the response to their offer, which they request immediately, equals their most sanguine expectations. The Statistics of three or four Societies, as given in our Supplement, were but a reprint of those of 1848, as we had not been able to procure Reports for 1849. The Report of the Directors of the Protestant Union for the benefit of the Widows and Children of Protestant Ministers of all Denominations has since been kindly forwarded, and we are now able in consequence to say that on the 30th of April, 1849, the Income for the preceding year, including dividends, had been, £2,041 15s. 11d.; and the Expenditure £1,104 1s. 9d.; that £641 7s. 6d. had been laid out in the purchase of Stock; that the balance in the Treasurer's hands was £652 13s. 2d; that the number of annuitants was twenty-seven, and the number of members one hundred and sixty-eight. Several others have been admitted, we are informed, since the Annual Meeting. children according to its custom at this season of the year have just reached us. It will be a convenience to those of our readers who are engaged in this important department of service, if we mention without delay the assistance thus provided for them. The Sunday School Teacher's Class Register and Diary for 1850. 12mo., pp. 128. ter for 1850. 12mo., pp. 24. The Sunday School Teacher's Class Regis The Union Tune Book, a Selection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, for Use in Congregations and Sunday Schools. Treble Part. Notes on the Scripture Lessons for 1849. 12mo., pp. 146. The Bible Class Magazine. Vol. II. 12mo., pp. 332. 1849. The Vol. VI. Sunday School Union Magazine. 1849. 12mo., pp. 332. The Child's Own Book. 1849. 32mo. Pp. 192. CUTTUB MINAR. DELHI. This very remarkable pillar stands about twelve miles south of the modern city of Delhi, and is arrived at through a dismal field of tombs, and innumerable ruins of the ancient city. Its base is a polygon of twenty-seven sides. The exterior part is fluted into twenty-seven semicircular and angular divisions. At various heights are five balconies, which are reached by a dark staircase numbering in the whole to the top 384 steps. The height of the pillar is 242 feet. This structure is unrivalled in Hindostan for its great size, profusion of ornament, and solidity of construction. For three hundred years it has resisted storm, earthquake, and time. The village of Cuttub itself, the ruins of which surround the pillar on every side, is famed for the possession of the shrine and relics of Cuttub ud Deen, a celebrated Mahommedan saint. The devotees of Islam resort thither in crowds, mutter their prayers at the tomb, and depart, as they think, favourites of heaven. Cuttub ud Deen was the first of the Afghan and Patan dynasty of sovereigns, and took possession of Delhi, wresting it from the hands of the Hindoos, in the year 1193. The pillar, however, was not erected till the reign of his successor, Shum ud Deen Altumsh, about 1230, A.D. The place was the scene of very hard fighting between the Hindoo sovereigns and their Patan invaders. The Mussulmans say that 5000 martyrs to their religion lie interred in the neighbourhood. Bishop Heber thus describes his approach: "Our route lay over a country still rocky and barren, and still sprinkled with tombs and ruins, till on ascending a little eminence, we saw one of the most extensive and striking scenes of ruin which I have met with in any country. The Cuttub Minar is really the finest tower I have ever seen, and must, when its spire was complete, have been still more beautiful. These Patans built like giants and finished their work like jewellers." In the neighbourhood of this remarkable monument, at Delhi, labours our aged missionary brother, Mr. THOMPSON, often embracing in his preaching tours this favourite resort of Mohammedan devotion. In a recent number of the Oriental Baptist we have an instructive example of the missionary's labour. Availing himself of the failure of rain, our brother wisely attempted to lead the excited people to a consideration of the claims of Him who is the Ruler of heaven and earth. May the Spirit of God render permanent the feelings which were then awak ened! Sufferings of the people. out of the city to their Eedgá every morning in clusters of from ten to twenty to pray. Trains of poor families came in great numbers every morning from Márwár, and countries where no rain had fallen at the ploughing season, for their hopes of a harvest were gone. The picture altogether of universal suffering was dismal; and the worst anticipations of all, that to such a season of unexampled drought, a famine would succeed, were, by a kind of wish not to know the worst, concealed. August 1st, 1849. Our 'rains commenced rather favourably, but a sudden stop was put to them, and for seventeen long days and nights (the dry, hot, and parching west winds blowing unintermittingly for fifteen days of that time), the whole population suffered very much, and man and beast were panting, restless, and uncomfortable, to a degree never known to have been experienced in former years. Brahmins were consulted: their calculations failed; offerings were made, but to no purpose. The first half of the (otherwise) rainy month of Shrában was passing away In this state of general feeling, zemindàrs without a drop of rain. Muhammadans went and cultivators came flowing in every morn The people directed to God. ing to learn something of the opinion of the learned astrologers of Delhi, as to whether there would be any rain, and when. Seeing me surrounded by attentive numbers, listening to something, they have stopped, and in the midst of the reading asked me in a half frantic manner, "Is there to be rain? We are dying: we and our families, and young children must perish." I have stopped and reasoned with them on the Lord God of the gospel being the ruler of the universe; his having the day of one's birth and death, which he reveals to no one, in his hands; and the time when it shall, and when it shall not rain. That he is Sovereign in all he does, and does not impart his counsels to men. That his mercy, however, may be implored by us, pleading what his love and mercy have done for our souls, in giving his Son to shed his blood for our guilt, and beseeching him to have mercy upon our suffering bodies; and leaving to his wise and gracious will when to show that mercy. This was done from morning to morning regularly for a number of days; and partaking of the general feeling of distress and anxiety, I had copied out and handed to the people (who eagerly and with joy on their countenances accepted them) a paper containing three hymns; in the first, stating the misery and universal suffering of man and beast from the want of rain, and beseeching God for Christ's sake to bestow the anxiously looked-for blessing: in the second, the promise in Genesis is pleaded that as long as the earth lasts, seed time and harvest shall not cease; and deploring that our sins and unworthiness had caused the rain to be withheld, intreating for the Redeemer's sake, the blessing might now be granted in the third, blessing God for the gift of his Son for the salvation of a guilty world, trusting that no minor good would be withheld, and praying that He who had not withheld his Son for man's salvation, would be pleased to vouchsafe the blessing of rain for man's bodily or temporal wants. Good effects produced. These hymns and suitable addresses, appeared greatly to impress the minds of the people, both of the city and the country, and led a great many of them to hear statedly what I read or said to them, and to desire the hymns might be given them to read at home. The reading of the ten commandments, with application to the circumstances of all, produced a quickening effect, and under its salutary effect an aged Hindoo, who could not read, begged he might have a copy which he would get another to read to him, "as," he added, "it makes me inwardly fear when I hear that tract." The reply to the frequently asked question, What is sin? excites fixed attention, and fifty to eighty every morning stand in silence to hear it. One man, on going away, said, "Of the many stripes laid upon the mind, a single one may some day take effect." The above two tracts, and that For all Classes," now for the first time fix the attention of Muhammadans also, and they appear equally attentive with the Hindoos; one man, however, yesterday morning went away murmuring, "Is there no other Saviour!" This arose from the frequent mention of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour, to whom every individual addressed, of every occupation and caste, is referred, and called upon to believe in, and implore salvation from. The season of drought was thus happily improved by a great accession of hearers, and a more fixed attention. At length, on the seventeenth day, the rain fell, and most heavily, and through much mercy, dissipated every fear, and made every face to smile. The hymn, thanking for rain, now sounded most grateful to every ear, and gave an appropriate close to the feeling of the season. I should add about the blessing of the rain, that for six days consecutively we had most copious showers, and after two days' recess, clouds are still hanging over us, day and night. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! SAGOR. In a communication to the secretary, dated September 7th, 1849, Mr. MAKEFRACE informs us that he has had the happiness of baptizing fourteen persons. Three others have been received as candidates, and may be baptized on the first sabbath in October, and there were several inquirers. From the Oriental Baptist we take a more detailed account of these additions to the church of Christ, and of the prospects of the mission at this station. July 4th, 1849. It is my pleasing duty again to communicate to you intelligence of baptisms at Ságor. On the first sabbath of the present month I baptized two young men, who are under instruction in our sabbath school. Their awakening and conversion, however, must, I believe, be attributed, under God, to the instrumentality of one of our brethren in the church. Fourteen individuals have thus, through the abounding goodness of our God, been admitted to the fellowship of the church; and others, I am thankful to H 2 |